2022’s top ten – second set of ‘Great Wall’ steps
The 2018 excavation in Trench J revealed what look curiously like a set of steps tied into the inner face of the northern boundary wall – the “Great Wall of… Read more
Category: Excavation
2022’s top ten – Structure Twenty-Seven’s north-western wall
As 2022 ticks away, we thought it would be a fine time to look back over our favourite finds and discoveries over the year.
We’ve selected ten and will post… Read more
2023 excavation dates set
2023 marks the 20th anniversary of the discovery of the first building at the Ness of Brodgar and we’re delighted to confirm that the dates for next year’s excavation have been… Read more
The rise and fall of the Ness complex
An update looking at the biography of the Ness of Brodgar complex – from its earliest days to eventual abandonment.
Click here to read.… Read more
An unfinished ‘butterfly’ slab from Structure Seventeen?
Over the past 17 years, excavation at the Ness of Brodgar has revealed hundreds of examples of Neolithic “art”.
These vary from light, ephemeral markings to deeply, and precisely, inscribed… Read more
That’s all folks! See you next year, funding permitting
The 2022 season at the Ness of Brodgar is now officially over.
Today was spent covering all the archaeology and we’re delighted to announce we managed it all in one… Read more
Link: A summer of excavation – photographs from Tim Winterburn
Images from photographer Tim Winterburn. Read more
Dig Diary – It’s all over for another year
Day Thirty-Three
Wednesday, August 17, 2022
Well, it has arrived. The end of excavation for this year.
The black plastic sheeting and the tyres have been moved into position for… Read more
Dig Diary Extra – Trench J in 3d
A new annotated 3d model of Trench J, featuring Structure Five and the northern boundary wall.… Read more
Dig Diary – Bone deposit outside Twenty-Seven brings Structure Ten’s decommissioning to mind
Day Thirty-Two
Tuesday, August 16, 2022
Where does the time go?
After what seems like the blink of an eye, today was the penultimate day of archaeological work on site.… Read more
Dig Diary – Spatulate stone tool recovered from Structure Twenty-Seven
Day Thirty-One
Monday, August 15, 2022
We have managed to escape the thunder and lightning which rattled parts of Orkney over the weekend but the rather eerie aftermath has been… Read more
Link: Sounds of the Ness
A sound poem for the Ness of Brodgar, recorded on site last month and featuring the voices of volunteer diggers, UHI Archaeology Institute staff and students from around the world.… Read more
Dig Diary – Fond farewells and another ‘butterfly’ from Structure Ten
Day Thirty
Friday, August 12, 2022
Today is the last day of our penultimate week and it means that we must say goodbye to a number of friends and colleagues… Read more
Dig Diary – Photography, planning and racing against time
Day Twenty-Nine
Thursday, August 11, 2022
After an incredibly busy day on site, we must apologise tonight for a very, very truncated diary.
It has been all go since we… Read more
Trench J flyaround
Professor Scott Pike’s end-of-season drone flight around Trench J, showing Structure Five and the “Great Wall of Brodgar“.… Read more
Dig Diary – All hands on deck for pre-photography cleaning sessions
Day Twenty-Eight
Wednesday, August 10, 2022
For all those fed-up with Ness weather reports – look away now!
For all those who are kinder souls, who care deeply about the… Read more
Dig Diary – A polished stone axe that looks decidedly like a macehead
Day Twenty-Seven
Tuesday, August 9, 2022
You can always rely on the Ness to wait till the end of the day before yielding an artefact that, quite literally, takes your… Read more
